Democracy needs defenders, and it starts with you! Sign up to attend the Renew Democracy 250 weekly Zoom community call. Hear from special guests, learn how to take action, and connect with community members.

Special Guest Speaker: Bhavleen Sabharwal

Bhavleen Sabharwal, Esq. earned her J.D. from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University and is admitted to practice in New York State and Federal Courts. She is the Managing Partner at the Law Office of Bhavleen Sabharwal, P.C., where she focuses her practice on employment law litigation and represents individuals who have been victimized by civil rights violations.

Bhavleen has successfully defended corporate clients in complex workplace disputes involving harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination, and wage-and-hour violations, and also serves as assigned counsel for several national insurance companies. She has earned defense verdicts in both bench and jury trials and provides strategic advisory services to help businesses maintain compliance through policy development and anti-discrimination training.

Raised in Queens as a first-generation American, Bhavleen grew up among immigrant entrepreneurs and small business owners. This experience shaped her commitment to both protecting what hardworking business owners have built and empowering civic participation. She is the founder of Democracy Speaks, a monthly forum that empowers citizens to unite in community and stay engaged with current events, build resilience, and take practical action to strengthen democratic institutions by writing to congressional representatives. 

EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATION OF THE WEEK: By Stu Faigen

Democracy needs defenders, and it starts with you! Sign up to attend the Renew Democracy 250 weekly Zoom community call. Hear from special guests, learn how to take action, and connect with community members.

ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION:

Please join us in an open forum conversation via Zoom. This will be a safe space to come together, share our voices, and speak openly about the state of our democracy and the challenges facing our government today.

This is not a lecture or presentation, it is a chance for each of us to be heard, seen, and expressed. You’re welcome to share personal stories, anecdotes, concerns, fears, or anything from your heart. Our goal is to hold space for one another to listen and connect through our shared experiences and frustrations.

The strength of democracy is rooted in Americans coming together, and right now, more than ever, our voices matter.

Gain support from your fellow citizens. You are not alone!!

Democracy needs defenders, and it starts with you! Sign up to attend the Renew Democracy 250 weekly Zoom community call. Hear from special guests, learn how to take action, and connect with community members.

Special Guest Speaker: Robin Peguero

Robin’s story is a South Florida story and an American story, one of loyalty and service. Robin is the son of immigrants – a Dominican father and Ecuadorian mother. They came to the U.S. in search of a better life, and they met while serving in the U.S. Army. Ever since he first learned to grip a pen, Robin has been writing. The written word has always been his saving grace. As first in his high school class, he wrote and delivered his first speech at 17.

He attended Harvard College, where he became an editor of The Harvard Crimson, spent a summer writing for The Miami Herald, and after graduation, he worked on Capitol Hill, serving as a press spokesman for Congressman Charles B. Rangel of Harlem and a speechwriter to Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota. He then attended Harvard Law School, serving as an editor of the Harvard Law Review and publishing several key pieces on constitutional issues. After graduating, he rejected lucrative opportunities at big law firms and returned home to Miami to become a local criminal prosecutor. He served as a division chief, exclusively prosecuting homicides, supervising younger attorneys, and trying 30 jury cases to verdict.

After seven years as a prosecutor, he joined the historic Select Committee Investigating the Jan 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol as an investigative counsel, leading interviews of witnesses, from former Cabinet secretaries to leadership within Secret Service; co-leading one of the blockbuster summer hearings on Trump’s attempts at corrupting the DOJ and writing the chapter on Trump’s 187 minutes of inaction during the attack and appendices on the day’s intelligence failures and delayed response by the National Guard. He went on to serve as chief of staff to a member of Congress, Hon. Glenn Ivey. He is now as assistant professor at St. Thomas Law School, teaching criminal law and procedure, and has published several novels and many articles.

Robin is a currently running for U.S. Congress as a Democratic nominee in Florida’s 17th District. To learn more about Robin’s campaign, click here.

Educational topic of the week:

Democracy needs defenders, and it starts with you! Sign up to attend the Renew Democracy 250 weekly Zoom community call. Hear from special guests, learn how to take action, and connect with community members.

Special Guest Speaker: Hon. Eileen N. Nadelson (Ret.)

After attending law school, Judge Nadelson clerked with the NY State Attorney General’s Office, and subsequently entered private practice.  Her focus was on corporate and commercial law, representing both entrepreneurs and consumers. For two years, she developed and oversaw the curricula and course studies for NYU’s Law & Taxation Division. She also actively participated as an arbitrator at the State Courts and American Arbitration Association, and provided services to the Federal Court Pro Se Office. She is admitted to practice in several NY districts as well as before the esteemed justices of the U.S. Supreme Court. 

Judge Nadelson presented legal education seminars to the bar on Contracts and Civil Practice, and has presided in every borough of New York City. She offered public support by speaking on topics of Court Procedure, Consumer/Merchant Disputes, and Avoiding Scams.  

After her retirement, she presided as a Judicial Hearing Officer and on the mediation/arbitration panels for the Southern District of New York and financial securities industry. She is the founder of Judge For Yourself, advising attorneys on how to make winning arguments at court and in negotiation conferences. Judge Nadelson’s accomplishments are recognized in several prestigious Who’s Who registries, Who’s Who in American Law, Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who of American Women, and Who’s Who Worldwide.

Educational topic of the week:

Democracy needs defenders, and it starts with you! Sign up to attend the Renew Democracy 250 weekly Zoom community call. Hear from special guests, learn how to take action, and connect with community members.

Special Guest Speaker: NJ State Senator Vin Gopal

State Senator Vin Gopal was elected in 2017 and re-elected in 2023 with more than 60% of the vote in a landslide election in what is considered one of New Jersey’s most politically competitive districts. Senator Gopal has championed legislation to provide aid for education and local businesses; provided property tax rebates for taxpayers, seniors and veterans; made life more affordable for seniors; make mental health services more accessible, improved public safety and teared down barriers to employment and services for members of the disabilities community - with dozens of his bills signed into law.

During his first two terms in the Senate, Senator Gopal served on a number of committees in leadership positions - including Co-Chair of the Legislative Manufacturing Caucus, Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, Vice-Chair of Senate Transportation, Vice-Chair of Senate Tourism, and as a Member of the Senate Health Committee. Senator Gopal currently chairs the Senate Education Committee and serves as Senate Majority Whip. He also serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Senator Gopal is the first South-Asian American to be elected to the Senate in New Jersey history.

A dedicated volunteer who works with many nonprofit organizations to assist people in need, Senator Gopal is also the Founder and President of the Vin Gopal Civic Association, a 501c(3) organization dedicated to helping Monmouth County charities and individuals in need. His community contributions as a volunteer include serving as a past member of the Board of Trustees of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monmouth County, and he has also served for many years as a volunteer first responder and EMT. He is also a former Adjunct Professor at Monmouth University and is currently the co-chair of the Monmouth University School of Civil Discourse.

An entrepreneur, Senator Gopal has started and built several businesses and is currently a business consultant and coach. Senator Gopal has served on the Board of Directors for the Northern Monmouth County Chamber of Commerce, and as President of the Hazlet Township Business Owners Association. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, he created a districtwide organization of business, community, church, and nonprofits leaders to address the challenges of the coronavirus to the local economy.

Educational topic of the week:

Democracy needs defenders, and it starts with you! Sign up to attend the Renew Democracy 250 weekly Zoom community call. Hear from special guests, learn how to take action, and connect with community members.

Special Guest Speaker: Betsy Driver

Betsy commuted to New York City for many years to work as a television news journalist and producer for CBS. She later started reporting on local issues in her hometown of Flemington, New Jersey, which spurred her involvement in local politics. She was elected to the Town Council of Flemington, New Jersey in 2016 and then elected Mayor in 2018.

Flemington is the county seat and has always been a traditional Republican town. Becoming a council member and then mayor in the county seat in probably the most conservative county in New Jersey is an amazing feat. When serving on the Borough Council, she introduced the resolution for declaring June to be Pride month in Flemington. Working as mayor, with a couple of progressive Democratic Council members, Betsy was instrumental moving Flemington out of its conservative dark ages, making it a more socially welcoming place. Her priorities are fair, equitable and diverse housing, diversity and inclusion for all residents, and Infrastructure.

Betsy was the first openly intersex American to be elected to public office, a beautiful win for all intersex people. She founded the intersex support group, Bodies Like Ours, in 2001 and is co-credited for starting Intersex Awareness Day, which is observed on October 26 and is internationally recognized. She was selected as a grand marshal for the 50th Pride Parade in Manhattan and was recognized by Heritage of Pride as a community hero in 2019. Betsy remains a strong advocate for human rights.

Educational topic of the week:

Democracy needs defenders, and it starts with you! Sign up to attend the Renew Democracy 250 weekly Zoom community call. Hear from special guests, learn how to take action, and connect with community members.

Special Guest Speaker: Paula Rogovin

Paula is a University of Chicago (BA) and Bank Street College of Education (MA) graduate, taught in the New York City public schools for 44 years (and retired in July, 2018). She is the mother of 3 adult sons and a grandmother of 6. Paula has been an activist all her life.

She co-founded Educators Against Racism and Apartheid, the Teaneck Peace and Justice Vigil (a weekly vigil since 2005), the Coalition to Ban Unsafe Oil Trains and the Don’t Gas The Meadowlands Coalition. Paula is Co-chair of Food and Water Watch, North Jersey Volunteer Team.

Paula has written several books, which she wrote to assist educators in developing social justice curriculum: Apartheid is Wrong, A Curriculum for Young People (United Nations Center Against Apartheid), and 3 Heinemann books: Classroom Interviews, a World of Learning, The Research Workshop, Bringing the World into Your Classroom.

She and her co-defendants recently won the right (in NJ Superior Court) to have a trial (in Livingston Municipal Court in NJ) using the necessity justification defense. In June, 2025 their case was dismissed by the prosecutor and their records were expunged! (see www.formosa4.org) for more information about the fight around Formosa Plastics.

Educational topic of the week:

Democracy needs defenders, and it starts with you! Sign up to attend the Renew Democracy 250 weekly Zoom community call. Hear from special guests, learn how to take action, and connect with community members.

Special Guest Speaker: Joey Novick

Joey Novick is man of many trades. He is a retired attorney, storyteller, radio show host, professional speaker, editorial director, professional stand-up comedian, and former councilman for many years. As a stand-up comedian, he has appeared on MTV & Comedy Central and has worked with many of the greats, including Robin Williams and Jerry Seinfeld.

Joey leads humor programs that have been featured in the New York Times, AP, Washington Post, ABC, CNN, and many more. He has performed all across North America at conventions, theatres, and for non-profits and corporations.

As a lawyer, Joey graduated from Seton Hall and was trained in 2004 at Harvard Law School as an advanced mediator and is an honors graduate of the Leadership New Jersey Fellowship Program. He has taught hundreds of lawyers, law school students, judges, and elected officials, the benefits of legal skills derived of improvisation. He has been a member of the board of trustees of the ACLU of NJ since 2009. And he continues to be active with his political and performance efforts.

Educational topic of the week:

Democracy needs defenders, and it starts with you! Sign up to attend the Renew Democracy 250 weekly Zoom community call. Hear from special guests, learn how to take action, and connect with community members.

Special Guest Speaker: Greg Vartan

As a fourth-generation resident of Summit, New Jersey, Greg Vartan has called this community home his entire life. Growing up here, he learned hometown values of hard work, honesty, and service from his family, teachers, coaches, and pastors. He saw the importance of people coming together and volunteering their time to their community. That is why he stepped up as soon as he could.

Starting in high school, Greg served for 12 years as a volunteer on Summit’s First Aid Squad and was elected as the youngest President of the Summit Council. During his tenure the Council built a brand-new firehouse, funded every request from the police department, and coordinated a strong response to the pandemic. They also worked to lower taxes, keep our local economy vibrant, invest in education, and improve infrastructure.

Greg is running for U.S. Congress because he sees how rising costs and extremism in Washington have threatened our way of life. He believes that the American dream—the promise of owning a home—should be within reach for more families. Our country and our Democracy are at a turning point, and we need people in Congress who are fighting for something other than themselves. Greg Vartan will work to protect what makes our neighborhoods great places to live—proximity to good jobs and vibrant communities—while still being affordable for families. Greg will also stand up to Donald Trump, his own party, or anyone who threatens the people of his district. He will work to lower costs and taxes, protect our fundamental freedoms, and improve healthcare, education, and transportation.

To learn more about Greg Vartan, click here

Educational topic of the week:

Democracy needs defenders, and it starts with you! Sign up to attend the Renew Democracy 250 weekly Zoom community call. Hear from special guests, learn how to take action, and connect with community members.

Special Guest Speaker: Guy Citron

Guy Citron is a third-generation New Jerseyan, small business owner, and dedicated community leader running for State Assembly to bring bold, people-first leadership to Trenton. A longtime advocate for civic engagement, Guy currently serves as Chair of the Political Action Committee for the Hunterdon County NAACP and he previously sat on the executive committee of the North Hunterdon Voorhees Intellectual Freedom Fighters, where he fights for free expression and mental health support in schools.

Professionally, Guy brings global experience and local results. After building a multimillion-dollar media company abroad, he returned home to raise his son and get to work advocating for working families, public schools, and small businesses. He is deeply involved in his community from organizing voter outreach to mentoring youth as a Scouts assistant den leader.

Guy just won the democratic ticket in the recent NJ primary election and is now the democratic candidate for State Assembly, because LD-23 deserves representation that listens, responds, and delivers. He is focused on preserving the small-town character of our communities, investing in trade education, cutting red tape for small businesses, and ensuring government works for everyone, not just special interests.

Guy stands for integrity, accountability, and local economic growth. He opposes overdevelopment, bureaucratic licensing hurdles, and political stagnation. Guy is not a career politician, he’s a father, a problem-solver, and a fighter for the future of New Jersey.

To learn more about Guy Citron, click here

Democracy needs defenders, and it starts with you! Sign up to attend the Renew Democracy 250 weekly Zoom community call. Hear from special guests, learn how to take action, and connect with community members.

Special Guest Speaker: Sheree Rust

Sheree Rust became the co-chair of the Somerset County NJ Chapter of Indivisible after Bev Pranzatelli started the chapter about 8 weeks ago. Sheree's been protesting since the Vietnam War days, and in recent years, fought against the early implementation of Project 2025 in Florida. "I’m very passionate about this – the guardrails are falling even further and faster than I feared. I can’t enjoy my golden years retirement when so many are losing everything." Sheree also founded the Community Advisory Board at Robert Wood Johnson/RJ Barnabus Health System supporting the NJ transgender community at various clinics throughout NJ.

To date, Indivisible's Somerset County Chapter has held two public protests that were extremely successful. “We pulled off a successful No Kings rally on Sunday, despite opposition from the town that caused two last minute location changes. Our attendees were amazing, persisting and resisting in the rain. Seeing our neighbors stand steadfast for our Constitution has filled me with hope. We need many more leaders in our Chapter and are confident we will be able to get them and make a positive difference."

No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance. From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we’re taking action to reject authoritarianism—and show the world what democracy really looks like.

Democracy needs defenders, and it starts with you! Sign up to attend the Renew Democracy 250 weekly Zoom community call. Hear from special guests, learn how to take action, and connect with community members.

Special Guest Speaker: Mike Davey

Mike is a proven problem solver with a record of putting people first, and is running for Florida’s 27th Congressional District.

Raised in a family that valued hard work and social justice, Mike learned from a young age the importance of taking action. Whether it was marching for the ERA with his mother or later stepping up to make his own street safer, Mike has always been driven to make a difference.

Democracy needs defenders, and it starts with you! Sign up to attend the Renew Democracy 250 weekly Zoom community call. Hear from special guests, learn how to take action, and connect with community members.

Special Guest Speaker: Amit Pandya

Amit is a national expert in civil liberties, international law, and democratic institutions. His insights on the erosion of democracy in the U.S. will help you connect the dots - and prepare to push back.